Mayo seminar will explore death rituals and voluntary gravedigging
THE practice of voluntary gravedigging in the west of Ireland and other death rituals and folk customs will be examined at an upcoming seminar at the National Museum of Ireland in Turlough Park, Castlebar.
The seminar takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 28.
The event will start with a talk by Dr. Danny Conway, a Visiting Fellow at The Open University, UK, who Conway will discuss his research on voluntary gravedigging in rural Ireland.
Dr. Conway interviewed 26 men in counties Mayo and Galway who had long been involved in the practice of digging graves for neighbours who had passed away. His research explores why this practice is still commonplace in close-knit rural communities despite great social and economic changes.
Dr. Conway also revisited some of the participants of the project in June 2022 to explore whether Covid-19 restrictions had impacted the custom.
Some of the research participants are expected to attend the symposium at the National Museum to share their responses to Dr. Conway's findings.
Clodagh Doyle, Keeper of the Irish Folklife Collection, will speak at 2 p.m. on the subject of death rituals and folk customs through the lens of the National Museum of Ireland collections.
Ms. Doyle has worked with the Irish Folklife Collection since 1995 and has been Keeper of the Irish Folklife Division since 2020. She is based at Turlough Park.
Albert Siggins, historian and former colleague in the Irish Folklife Division, will present on ancient and modern aspects of gravedigging, including regulations and memorials. Mr. Siggins' historical research, especially relating to his native Co. Roscommon, has significantly contributed to public understanding of local history.
'Death Rituals and Voluntary Gravedigging' takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park.
Admission is free but booking is required. Booking is available at www.museum.ie; by telephoning the bookings office on (094) 90 31751 or by email to educationtph@museum.ie.